5 arrested in Springfield warrants sweep

SPRINGFIELD - A task force of city police and federal marshals swept through sections of Forest Park today, picking up five people with outstanding warrants and putting criminals on notice.

The four-hour effort, led by Deputy Chief William J. Fitchet as head of the Police Department's South District, included eight city officers and two federal marshals, part of a fugitive apprehension squad.

It marked the second time in as many weeks that law enforcement made its presence outwardly known in the area of Longhill and Locust streets and Fort Pleasant Avenue that has become home to increasing drug activity, including the city's latest homicide less than a month ago.

With the trailer-sized mobile command center parked in the CVS parking lot at the X, officers went in cruisers from building to building throughout the morning. They also visited houses on Orange Street and Commonwealth Avenue, where criminal activity is believed to be ongoing.

On Fort Pleasant Avenue, several men and women were stopped and checked and one arrested. Police also confiscated a working ballpoint pen that opened up to reveal a 2-inch razor knife with a partially serrated edge.

"The whole idea here is to get the offenders off the streets and into court," Fitchet said.

Fitchet characterized the sweep as a success and promised that the officers assigned to the South District, a new department designation that divides the city into three north-south sections for crime-fighting purposes, will be back - again and again - through the summer.

"We want to show the community that we're out here, and we're doing it in an unprecedented way. We're getting the criminal element off the streets, and we're building confidence in the community," he said.

Fitchet praised his officers, who came from a variety of specialties, and the two U.S. marshals who spent the morning helping.

Neighbors, many of whom declined to be identified, thanked police and welcomed them back, anytime.

"I'm happy to see them here," said Omar A. Delerme, who has lived off Longhill Street the past four years.

"There's a lot of drugs and shootings around here. I'd like to see the police here more often, for the safety of the children who live here, and all of us," he said.

Indeed, the area has one of the highest crime rates in the city, and is home to drug dealing, prostitution and violence, said Sgt. Dennis M. O'Connor.

O'Connor directed the crew for most of the morning, saying repeat visits will be sporadic, but ongoing, through the summer.

"We're trying to let the criminal element know that we're going to seek them out. There are so many law abiding, decent people in this area who are afraid to leave their homes," O'Connor said.